Construction Lien Deadlines in Alberta
Under the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, RSA 2000, c. P-26.4
A construction lien secures payment for work or materials against the improved land in Alberta, but only if it is preserved within 60 days (AB PPCLA s. 41). Miss that window and the right to lien is lost, no matter how strong the underlying claim.
Alberta's lien window is one of the deadlines Tiercord derives for every contract and surfaces alongside the prompt-payment clocks.
Alberta construction liens deadlines
The statutory clocks for this topic in Alberta, with section citations.
| Clock | Value | Statute |
|---|---|---|
Lien filing window Days to preserve or register a construction lien before the right expires. AB PPCLA Section 41 | 60 days | AB PPCLA Section 41 |
What a lien secures
A construction lien attaches to the owner's interest in the land that was improved. If the claim is not paid, it can ultimately be enforced through sale of that interest, and the 10% statutory holdback fund is the first source the law looks to in order to satisfy it.
The Alberta filing deadline is strict
A construction lien must be preserved or registered within 60 days (AB PPCLA s. 41), measured from a triggering event such as substantial performance, completion, or the last day work or materials were supplied. Alberta courts apply the window strictly.
Liens and prompt payment work together
Prompt payment governs when money must move in Alberta; the construction lien and holdback secure the money if it does not. A complete compliance posture tracks all three at once.
Construction liens in Alberta: FAQ
How long do I have to file a construction lien in Alberta?
60 days (AB PPCLA s. 41) from the triggering event.
What triggers the lien deadline in Alberta?
Usually substantial performance or completion of the contract, or the last day on which the claimant supplied work or materials, depending on the role of the claimant.
See the full Alberta guide
Every deadline, notice and adjudication rule in one place.